Khadi Utsav-2012' gets underway in Mangalore

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)

February 24, 2012

Mangalore, February 24: The 'Khadi Utsav-2012' an exhibition cum sale of Khadi products began at the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan in Pandeshwar, here on Friday.

Daskshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat president K T Shailaja Bhat inaugurated the 10-day Utsav organized by Karnataka State Khadi and Village Employment Board, State Industry and Trade Department.

Speaking on the occasion, she said Mahatma Gandhi's dream of 'Rama Rajya,' can be a reality when villagers achieve self-reliance. It is possible through Khadi and Village Employment, if leaders motivate general public towards Khadi and Village Employment, she said.

Ms Bhat also opined that such expo can be organised at taluk-level as the people in coastal region have passion towards Khadi.

Central Zone Khadi and Village Employment Commission President Indrajit Vikram Singh said that the 10-day expo is likely to generate a turn over of Rs 1 crore.

Stressing the need to popularise village products, Kalkura Foundation President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that when a village employee gets international price for his product, he would never like to change his profession.

District Industrial Centre Joint Director S G Hegade, State Khadi and Village Industries Deputy Director Somappa Nayka, KVI Development Officer Jyothi were present.

As many as 52 units including that from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and all over Karnataka have opened shops in the expo, said Dakshina Kannada Khadi and Village Employment Officer U Veerappa Poojari.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Eranna of Gadag Khadi Workers' Cooperative Society opined that it is worth visiting Mangalore though it is 450 kms away from Gadag. “We produce khadi products like bedsheets, towels etc in Gadag and sell in different parts of the State,” he said.

Sunandamma of 'Shankari Mahila Swasahaya Sangha' was busy selling cotton and silk sarees. “We manufacture sarees in our homes with the help of six labourers. These cost anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 1000,” she said. Other than cloths, the expo is offering food products, leather materials and tiny fashionable wooden products to the customers. The expo will be open till March 4.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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